As you might be aware from reading my other blog The 225th Observer, I am now in my 4th week of recovery from having a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. You can go to the Observer to see the whole journey so far, but I wanted to elaborate a little more on the spiritual side of what I have chosen to call “my adventure.” The recovery is going well, and I think I am on track to return to work at Seattle Children’s Hospital first week of April.
I really became a believer in Jesus Christ in August 1971 having returned the previous year from duty as a soldier in Vietnam, although I was introduced to him while I was in high school in 1964. To make a very long story short, I went through all the motions of being a Christian for a long time afterward, but not actually believing deep down that anything was different or better as a result of making that commitment.
Fast-forward to September 2011 and the diagnosis that I had prostate cancer, because of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test that my doctor ordered. As I wrote in a blog posting, the “c” word is a devastating diagnosis for anyone who has experienced it. The diagnosis of having Type 2 diabetes a couple of years previous in a way prepared me for the cancer news. I had decided then that I had to change my life style to adjust to not eating all the things I loved that were not good for a diabetic. At that time I asked God to help me adjust; he did just that; he helped me and continues to do so.
I wrote earlier that there were 2 important “c” words in my life: the little “c” word is “cancer” and the big “C” word is “Christ.” Well, when the little “c” word reared its ugly head I decided that no matter the outcome, God was in control of my life…I needed, however, to acknowledge that fact and actually believe it. I have really believed, and still do, that Jesus Christ (the big “C” word!) is in the middle of this part of my adventure. He has made this evident in any number of ways: through music I have heard on the radio and at church; in scripture that I have come face-to-face with unexpectedly; with so many people praying for me and encouraging me as I went into surgery and during my recovery (how can I thank you all?!).
Regarding music…after the biopsy revealed that I in fact had prostate cancer, I was in the car and heard Laura Story’s song “Blessings”. The chorus says “'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops /
What if Your healing comes through tears /
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
/ What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.” I heard those words as if they were written for me, and my eyes welled up to the point that I had to stop and wipe them so I could drive. I believe that my trials really have been God’s mercies in disguise!
In church on March 4th we sang a new song (at least new to me) called “A Mighty Fortress” by Christy Nockels. The lyrics say in part
Our God is, a consuming fire,
A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom
Our God is, the only righteous judge,
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom
We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
He is ruling over me with kindness and wisdom, and day-by-day I am trying to keep my eyes on him more than ever before.
Psalms 91 has crossed my path several times since January. I have been amazed how many times this particular passage has caught my attention since then! Take a moment and click on the link and see what great encouragement and promise God gives us in this Psalm!
And there have been so many people around the country who have been praying for Karin and me. I have no idea who has prayed, but I have been so encouraged that people care so much for us!
On the Sunday after we found out that I had cancer, I went up to our pastor after church and said “Phil, God has given me the greatest opportunity!” “Tell me about it” he said. “I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.” He literally took a step back with a shocked expression on his face. And I continued “This is the greatest chance I have to tell people about Jesus and the difference he has made in my life!”
And I have taken this opportunity to heart, not holding back like I did for the first four decades of my new life in Christ. Many years ago I was introduced to the Four Spiritual Laws that are not laws per se (life as a Christian is not a life of laws), but rather principles that are true.
#1 God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
#2 Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.
#3 Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin.
Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.
#4 We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ I encourage you at least investigate who he is (the Gospel of John is a great place to start). Or feel free to contact me by phone or email.
These are only two of those mercies that have come as a result of this trial in my life; being blessed by others and freedom to share the Good News of Jesus with others. May God bless you this week!
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